Chief of Staff to the Managing Partners

O'Hagan Meyer•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

O'Hagan Meyer is seeking an experienced law firm professional to serve as Chief of Staff to the Managing Partners. With approximately 425 attorneys located in offices throughout the United States, O'Hagan Meyer has experienced significant growth and is seeking a senior professional who can serve as a trusted advisor and operational extension of the firm's Managing Partners. This is not a traditional administrative position. The Chief of Staff will work directly with the Managing Partners and will be empowered to address, coordinate and resolve a broad range of issues involving the firm's partners, attorneys, offices and clients.

Requirements

Substantial experience working in or with a large, sophisticated law firm and will understand the unique dynamics of law firm partnerships.
Significant experience in law firm management or administration, preferably within an AmLaw 100 or AmLaw 200 environment.
Exceptional judgment, discretion and confidentiality.
The ability to work effectively with senior partners and strong personalities.
Excellent interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.
The confidence to make decisions and resolve issues without unnecessary escalation.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to quickly understand complicated personnel, financial and client issues.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
A practical, solutions-oriented approach to management.
The ability to distinguish genuinely urgent issues from matters that can be addressed through the firm's normal management process.
The organizational ability to manage numerous simultaneous issues across a national law firm.

Nice To Haves

A J.D. and prior experience practicing law are strongly preferred but not required.
Candidates who have transitioned from practicing law into law firm management, operations, business development or another senior administrative role are particularly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary point of contact between the Managing Partners and attorneys throughout the firm.
Review, prioritize and coordinate matters requiring the attention of firm leadership.
Make initial contact with attorneys raising management issues, gather relevant facts and determine appropriate next steps.
Resolve matters within delegated authority and develop recommendations for issues requiring Managing Partner decisions.
Assist with partner and office issues involving origination credit, compensation, staffing, recruiting, client relationships, billing rates and other management matters.
Help resolve partner-to-partner and cross-office disputes.
Coordinate with the firm's Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Recruiting, Marketing and other administrative functions.
Maintain visibility into significant open management matters and ensure appropriate follow-through.
Prepare concise weekly or bi-weekly briefings identifying matters requiring Managing Partner decisions, matters under review and matters that have been resolved.
Attend selected leadership meetings and ensure that decisions and action items are implemented.
Identify recurring issues and recommend policies, procedures and systems to improve the firm's operations.
Assist with the integration of new attorneys, practice groups and offices.
Undertake confidential and sensitive projects on behalf of the Managing Partners.